Alice in Wonderland

Alice is a self-possessed, rather bossy young girl with temper management issues. So one day when she lies down for an afternoon nap and dreams of falling down a rabbit hole into the wacky world of Wonderland, her natural tendency to do as she likes and speak her mind without contradiction is sorely tried. She meets a number of animals and characters who startle and confuse her considerably. A contrary, self-centered child, she meets a series of characters which are, on closer inspection, magnified versions of her own traits.

As Alice explores the apparently backwards, upside down and inside-out world of Wonderland, she discovers that even the most nonsensical occurrences have their own logic and lessons to be learned.

First there’s the dour Caterpillar, followed immediately by the Duchess bursting on the scene, spanking her piglet baby while the Cook throws vegetables at her and the Frog Footman stands by sneezing. They disappear, and the Mad Hatter, the March Hare and the sleeping Dormouse arrive, enjoying their endless tea party.

Once they move on their way, the White Rabbit pops up again, in time to discuss with Alice why she feels she doesn’t amount to much because all the Wonderland creatures find fault with her. Beneath her ill temper and bossiness lies insecurity. He offers some enigmatic advice and leaves her to encounter the Mock Turtle and the Gryphon. After a brief visit with the two creatures which are a mix of animals, Alice is left feeling even more unsure of herself.

But it’s the Tweedles to her rescue! The mirror-image brothers, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, rush on and sweep her up into a fun test of logic involving the nonsense poem “The Walrus and the Carpenter”. She sings and dances with the Tweedles and passes the test with flying colours – she can make up her mind and not lose her temper. Now she feels like a Somebody!

No sooner have they had their celebratory dance, than the air is pierced with an imperious call: “Off with her head!” It’s the Queen of Hearts’ arriving with her entourage and all the rest of the creatures for her afternoon game of croquet. Alice is soon defending herself on all sides as everyone seems to be ganging up on her, challenging her intelligence and identity.

But then, the Queen’s attention is taken by her discovery that the tarts she baked that morning have disappeared. A trial is quickly convened, presided over by the King of Hearts. The Knave of Hearts is named as the guilty party and they are about to proceed to his execution, when Alice demands that they have a trial first and call some witnesses. Sheepishly and reluctantly the King agrees and they proceed with a few “witnesses” and their “evidence”. It looks grim for the Knave, though Alice and the audience know he is innocent – as does the true guilty party.

Suddenly, the court turns on Alice, and both the Queen and King are calling, “Off with her head!” As the Executioner strides forward, Alice confidently stands up for herself. “Who cares for you? You don’t amount to anything! You’re nothing but a pack of cards!” And with that she shoos them away. They disappear into the air, for that is what they are of course – a pack of cards and make-believe creatures.

Alice wakes up from her nap to the echoes of the Tweedles in her head: “She doesn’t feel good-for-nothing anymore. Nohow, Contrariwise.”